Sandy victims to get help with college applications

High school students who have been impacted by superstorm Sandy may get help applying to college through a new program that will be hosted Saturday, Dec. 15 at Brookdale Community College‘s Northern Monmouth Higher Education Center, 1 Crown Plaza, Hazlet.

Launched by the National Association for College Admission Counseling ‘s New York and New Jersey affiliates, “Operation Apps: Taking College by Storm” is aimed at helping high school seniors affected by superstorm Sandy complete their college applications and enroll in college next fall.

On December 15 and 16, six colleges in New York and New Jersey, including the Brookdale location, will set up help centers where students can meet with college admission experts to review college applications and essays, refine college lists and discuss financial aid options.

Computer labs also will be open for students who need an Internet connection to submit online applications.

The volunteer experts are members of the New York Association for College Admission Counseling and the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling.

“The college application process, which typically consumes the fall and winter months for many high school students, was made much more arduous and uncertain when Hurricane Sandy battered the tri-state region,” said Joyce Smith, chief executive officer of NACAC.

“Many students were displaced, while some lost everything and suffered terrible personal losses. For many, applying to college went from being a priority to an afterthought,” Smith said. “Our hope is that the counseling and support offered by Operation Apps will help at least some of those students not to defer their dreams of attending college next year.”

Registration for the free workshops is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Students may sign up online. Students also are encouraged to bring any relevant college application documents.

For more information about the New Jersey workshops, contact Sarah Graham, director of college counseling at Princeton Day School, at 609-924-6700, ext. 1705, or email operationappNJ@gmail.com.

Parents, students: What other educational challenges have you faced since Sandy hit our area? Please share your experiences in the comments.

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About Alesha Williams Boyd

Alesha Williams Boyd is wife and mom to a family of six. She's covered New Jersey schools and communities since 2005 for the Asbury Park Press and is New Jersey correspondent for USA TODAY. Follow her on twitter: @aleshaboydAPP.

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Alesha Williams BoydAlesha Williams Boyd is wife and mom to a family of six. She's covered New Jersey schools and communities since 2005 for the Asbury Park Press and is New Jersey correspondent for USA TODAY. Follow her on twitter: @aleshaboydAPP.E-mail Alesha

Amanda OglesbyAmanda Oglesby writes about education and has covered Ocean and Monmouth counties for six years. She's a mom, a Rutgers University graduate, and an Ocean County native.E-mail Amanda

Francesca CocchiNewsroom intern Francesca Cocchi, 19, is a rising sophomore at Villanova University, where she studies Interdisciplinary Humanities in the honors program and writes for The Villanovan newspaper. She lives with her family in Ocean Township, NJ. Follow her on Twitter: @FNCocchiE-mail Francesca

Shari PutermanShari Puterman is the assistant regional features editor, proud mommy to 2-year-old Dylan and a lifetime Jersey Girl living in Matawan.
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